"I am sorry, warrior but I think a change of plans are in order," said the Warlord. "We have more allies now."
Jarrakg eyed the unexpected help nervously. The Witch returned his stare coolly whilst the Bello was curiously surveying her surroundings. Her purple tentacles twitched and swayed unconsciously reaching to touch the floor and walls. One long limb was extending to touch the speaking orc when he hastily nodded and stepped back. The Overlord's earlier plan would definitely need revision.
"As you command."
Kalthu conferred with the Overlord for a few seconds, updating his father. Finally he nodded and patted his son on the shoulder approvingly.
The huge orc leader turned his full attention to the waiting Ghost Lords. "The next wave will come soon. I will leave my loyal warriors here to defend my Stronghold. Jarrakg will command in my absence."
The second-in command acknowledged his Overlord's commands with a warrior's salute. "Your command Overlod!"
"Thalasis!"
"Yesss my Lord, I am here."
"You and ..." the Overlord paused and glanced inquiringly at the Witch. Was she willing to fight? Was she still angry at him for allowing her tribe to banish her to the punishment rings and be the Bello's caretaker? Was she willing to atone for her mistakes and fight for him? For the land?
When the Witch bowed her head in acquiesce, shoulders bent forward with her eyes closed, he held his breath, black beady eyes widening in surprise. The sacred pledge of the Zyirs! Had she lost her mind? Was she really going to bond herself forever to him? To the land? The Witch continued, clasping her scaly palms together, twisting them three times in a quick succession. Her lips moved silently in oath. She had pledged her life and loyalty to him! To break it would bring upon unspeakable horrors to herself and all her descendants.
The Overlord let out his breath. She really did it! Now he could trust her with his people's lives and his own.
He spoke again, appreciation colouring his tone, "You ... and your sister, stay within the Stronghold and heal my warriors." He had learned from the visiting healer Ghost Lord. Her ways had been very effective. Head-on battle was not the only way to win a war.
His black eyes flickered a moment at Lazarus in grudging respect before he proceeded to question the Witch. The quiet unassuming Ghost Lord's assessment of her was right. Perhaps he had not totally gone insane from the poisons after all.
"Have you reflected on your past and renounce the usage of forbidden magic?"
"I have my Lord," replied the Witch meekly.
"Summoning demons and creatures not from here to our world ... nothing good comes from it. See the Bello? You have stranded her here in our realm where she is not wanted and where she does not want to be."
"I am truly ssorry Overlord, to you, all our people but mosst of all to the innocent Bello. I wasss young, over confident and ambitiousss. I have learnt my lesssson well."
The Overlord grunted accepting her sincere apology, "But Mallarg, for all his experiences and knowledge has fallen into the same trap. He too has resorted to forbidden magic in summoning the lava hounds. He will not be forgiven because unlike you, he knows what he is doing and is intentionally harming the lands for his own ambitions."
"If you survive this, all will be forgiven and honours will be given to your clan. The Zyirs will know of your valour to me and to the land."
"You will be freed of the monster," he announced.
"Yesss my Lord. Thank you. I will fight alongsside my ssisster asss besst I can," she said gratefully. Her silted eyes flickered over to Lazarus catching his attention. When his lips twitched corners curving upwards in confirmation, she knew that the human had kept his promise to her. He had spoken to the Overlord on her behalf. How he had managed the impossible task of convincing the stubborn orc to give her a chance at redemption was beyond her. Everyone else had failed. The Ghost Lord was powerful indeed.
Thalasis gave a small cry and went to hug her sister. The Overlord's acquiesce allowed her to acknowledge her family ties again.
"You, my son will accompany me there," announced the Overlord pointing to the scorched lands beyond the walls, "where we will vanquish the slobbering dogs!"
Kalthu, Warlord and son of the Overlord saluted proudly. "My Lord Father, I will be honoured to fight by your side!"
When the Overlord turned his attention to the humans, Constantine held up a hand. "Don't order me around Overlord. I have my own plans, yes?" The Red Warlock's lips stretched into a sinister smile and he rubbed his hands. "I have some unfinished business with that Necromancer. He is mine, yes? All mine! No one else is to touch him!" He glared around menacingly daring anyone to contradict him. No challengers? Good!!
"O'kay, chill already. You can have him all to yourself," said Valentine grinning. "Laz and I will secure you and the gateway as discussed."
The boys had already planned their strategy thoroughly before logging on. Splitting the enemy forces and cutting off all escape routes will guarantee victory.
"We will let them through then cut off their way back," said the Assassin. He crossed his arms. "We will annihilate all the lava hounds here. No more will return when we force seal the portal once and for all with a sacrifice. An unwilling blood sacrifice, which is the condition isn't it?"
"Yesss, it isss Lord Lazarusss but who will be the ssacrifice?" asked Thalasis.
She blinked looking around. Surely the dark one wasn't going to sacrifice one of them, was he? The only ones going onto the battlefield with him are the other Ghost Lords and ... Suddenly she hissed loudly and raised her already glowing hands threateningly at the Assassin.
"You will not ssacrifice either the Overlord or the Warlord!! The land needsss them. I will not allow it!!"
"You will not allow it?" the Overlord murmured slightly amused. First the Witch and now Thalasis? He never knew his Holy Seer was so loyal. Kalthu's mouth hung open at her defiance against the powerful Ghost Lords.
Her stance abruptly changed again. She approached Lazarus and grabbed his arm. "Take me insstead Dark One. Usse my life! I am replaceable! Do not harm them."
Lazarus flinched, taken aback at the sudden close contact.
"I beg you, Dark One! Usse me insstead!!"
"Oh wow! And I thought Constantine was dramatic," Valentine smirked at his friend's discomfort and rolled his eyes. "No need to worry Holy Seer, we have someone else in mind. Someone truly suitable for the purpose. I promise you won't mind losing him."
"Who do you have in mind?" Kalthu asked curiously.
"Mallarg!" all three Ghost Lords spat out the one name together.
-----
"The portal is over there. You can't see it now but it always opens in the same spot and stays open until the hounds leave," said Jarrakg. "Only then does it close leaving no trace behind."
"And Mallarg?" asked Lazarus.
"The Necromancer controls and watches each wave from atop that hill."
"I've seen him," said Constantine. "Don't worry, I know the best spot to get him. I will stay hidden until all is in place, yes? Then I will strike as planned. This will be fun."
"That is a dangerous place to be. What about Lazarus and Valentine. Where will you be?"
Valentine grinned at Kalthu. "Don't worry, we will be with Constantine. We will deal with all other distractions leaving him free to concentrate on Mallarg. You stay by the Stronghold where your warriors can back you up."
"Don't get killed, Overlord," Lazarus added. "You too Kalthu or Sharn will hunt me down to the corners of the realm," he said referring to Kalthu's mate.
"Bello?" The monster sashayed over to her human and poked him to get his attention.
"You can't follow me out there, it's too dangerous."
"Myutt, myutt."
"The hounds will burn you up. You are a water creature after all ..."
"Myutt, myu-uuutt." She pointed a human hand at the Second-in command who blanched. She knew who would be in charge of the Stronghold defence.
"Ahhh, that's different then. I'll tell Jarrakg that you want a section to yourself."
"Myu-uutt," she said pointing at the Assassin then. "Bello?"
Lazarus coughed in embarrassment. "That's not necessary is it?"
"Myutt, myutt."
The Assassin turned to the nervously waiting orc. He was following their one-sided conversation. What exactly did the monster want? Would she eat them all if he could not fulfil her wish?
"Jarrakg, the Bello wants to help fight the lava hounds. She is fast, very versatile and can defend a large section by herself. I've seen her fight."
Jarrakg's eyes bulged. The Dark one had seen the notorious Bello fight? When? Where? How? Had he been involved in the fight?
"Ughh, yes, Ghost Lord, she can have that corner section if she can handle it. Will she need help? The attack there is quite heavy but it will be a big help for both North and West walls if it's kept cleared."
"Myutt!" she reminded Lazarus. He coloured again and coughed. "It's facing the portal where Val and I will be. You will be able to see me at all times ..."
"Myutt, myutt," said the Bello in a satisfied tone.
"You're most welcome monster," replied Jarrakg to the hybrid, revising his opinion of her. She may be a monster but she protected her friends. Maybe she wasn't so bad after all, now that she was on their side. He wondered what she could do to help.
"It's almost time. Get into position," ordered the Overlord. "Come, we go out now. Jarrakg, you are in command," he said and turned on his heels gesturing for the others to follow him.
Twenty brave warriors followed their Overlord. They would stand with him and the Warlord outside the gates of the Stronghold. The Overlord was counting on his presence to draw more hounds to him. The more the better, he had a lot of pent up rage to release and he needed targets to do so. Physical close combat was what he craved now and many, many targets to kill. He had had enough of long ranged defence. His warrior orcs stationed above the reinforced gates would protect them.
"Sir!!" Jarrakg saluted banging his chest smartly at his Overlord.
The veteran orc warrior was under no delusions. His temporary authority here was heavy indeed. The Overlord was charging him not only with military defences but with the overall safety of everyone here, non-military personal included. If things went badly out there, he would be left without an Overlord and Warlord. It would be his duty to protect and help the new Overlord until he was mature enough to rule in his own right. That is if the orcling prince could recover from the nauk dzi vras. He glanced over to Lazarus. The human too cannot die or he would not have a prince either since the jaav ukon would then perish. Quickly he said a silent prayer, please let his lords survive! ... and the human too, he added belatedly.
"Hannak!! Gather the Captains for final instructions!" Jarrakg shouted. "Bello?"
"Bel-lo?" the monster blinked her large luminous eyes at the tough orc.
"You can have that whole corner. Be careful, the hounds scale the wall fast. Yell if you need back-up or get hurt. Thalasis and the other one will heal you."
"Myutt, myutt."
He turned to the Seer, "Umm, do you do know how to heal the monster?"
"I will take care of her, good warrior, like I alwaysss have," the Witch assured him.
He gave her a curt nod, smiled his thanks and went to his gathered Captains for the final briefing.
The portcullis grated noisily upwards enough to let the warriors out. It slammed down immediately after.
"Good hunting!" the Overlord said as they parted ways.
"Good hunting to you too, Overlord," Lazarus replied waving Valentine and Constantine onwards.
-----
"Almost time. You ready?" Valentine asked Lazarus. He could hardly see his friend who was in the shadows. They were both above ground, hidden on the high boughs of a leafy tree approximately ten meters from the Red Warlock. They had his back.
Constantine had assured them that they were far enough not to be detected by Mallarg. The Necomancer would be far too busy controlling the portal and lava hounds to notice them.
"Yeah."
"Can you see Constantine?"
"Nope. Don't worry, he knows the plan. We've covered everything before logging in."
"I know but I'm just nervous. He might get carried away."
A soft chuckle answered him. "I'm sure he will."
Valentine sighed, and then laughed along with Lazarus. "Yeah, of course he will but he is an excellent Player ... and now you are here too." It was good to have Laz with him again. It was going to be an awesome battle. He couldn't wait.
The two stiffen when deep horns blared out of nowhere drowning out every other sound in the vicinity. The signal of a new wave! It sounded again and again echoing mournfully in the heavy silence.
Suddenly there was a loud ripping sound. Valentine gasped when a large ragged rift appeared in the very fabric of the scenery.
"Here they come," muttered Lazarus. His grip on his silver bow tightened in anticipation. "Steady. Wait for it ..."
"C'mon Constantine, you know what to do." Valentine was biding his time too.
-----
The Red Warlock stayed hidden from view when he saw his nemesis climb up the small rise to his favoured spot. With spells, he was not be detectible to the Necromancer. He watch Mallarg take his position with narrowed eyes. From here, he had a clear view of the Stronghold. The orc gestured.
"Come, it is an honour to sacrifice yourselves for the cause. We will vanquish the Overlord and his spawn once and for all. They have no more defences left. The female Ghost Lords have all gone."
A squad of Imperial warriors, the last of those who had chosen the Necromancer over their rightful lord struggled up the hill. They were dirty, hungry and demoralised. The promise of glory, fame and power that Mallarg had offered them seemed so distant and hollow now. But it was too late to beg forgiveness from the Overlord. They had caused too many of their brethren's lives for redemption. The only choice they had now was to continue following the Necromancer's lead and pray that they would win.
The magic user chanted, raising and lowering his voice in forbidden incantation. He lifted his hands summoning power. Lines of bright Energy appeared from the front row of warriors to link themselves to the Necromancer. He pulled their Energy mercilessly from them to fuel his Summoning.
Aiyayayai! I knew it, thought Constantine. He is a cheater! He was sucking up his warriors' life Energies. No wonder he could sustain such a feat for so long. The Imperial warriors were powering his complicated Spells.
The Red Warlock smirked. What a user! He is not a true wielder of magic like me. Quietly he summoned his own power. It thrummed in his veins waiting for release. Constantine, Warlock, Level 94 was more than confident in besting the Necromancer. He just had to wait a little for the optimum time.
Further away, a large rift appeared in the scenery in response to the Necromancer. Constantine's head snapped towards the Portal. From beyond the dark abyss, distant barks and howls grew nearer and louder. A blast of heat emitted from the hole before the lava hounds leapt into the orc realm. Red hot glowing black and red bodies poured out of the Portal and ran straight towards the Stronghold. They were here for one thing and that was the destruction of all living beings in the stone fortress. The Necromancer had promised that the many lives in there were free for the taking. Each life taken would feed their insatiable hunger. He wanted them dead and they wanted the deaths. It was a compatible winning situation for both parties.
Steady, steady, Constantine cautioned himself. He had to let as many lava hounds as possible come through. The more the better as it would leave their home world depleted of the foul creatures. Those that were left there will be too few in numbers to stop the forced sealing of the portal. Also, they would be too busy fighting over the blood sacrifice to bother with the closing doorway. Food was scarce in a world where the inhabitants fed on blood and terror.
The Red Warlock reigned in his impatience as he waited for a full five minutes. Only then did the flow of growling canines slow down to a trickle and finally ceased. Constantine peered but could not see anything in the ugly gaping gash. Only hot air and dust particles continued to blow out from the other world.
He turned his attention back to Mallarg. The first few Imperial orcs in the front row had fallen shrivelled and dead onto the ground. The remaining did not look so good. The opening of the portal had taken a lot of power. Mallarg would start on the next row of orcs soon.
Still Constantine waited. The packs of lava hounds had moved on and surrounded the Stronghold now. The fierce fighting had started and could be heard all the way here.
He should move now.
It was time.
Confidently the Red Warlock stepped out to challenge the Necromancer.